- Australian delegation joins Global Sumud Flotilla in March 2026, attempting to break Israeli naval blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid
- Seven named Australian participants include First Nations representatives, activists, and authors joining thousands from 100 countries
- Mission responds to Israel's January ban on over 30 aid organisations from operating in Gaza and growing humanitarian crisis
- Delegation protests visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia, citing UN Human Rights Council's accusations of genocide incitement
- Flotilla aims to establish Palestinian-led humanitarian corridor for food, medicine, and essential workers while addressing severe malnutrition crisis affecting majority of Gaza's population
Media Release - 13 February 2026.
"Following nationwide protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the Global Sumud Flotilla announces the first wave of Australian participants"
The Australian Delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla released the names of the first wave of Australians, including several First Nations participants, a feminist author, climate justice activists and an anti-zionist Jewish activist, due to set sail to Gaza in late March 2026.
Australian delegates, including Anny Mokotow, Sam Woripa Watson, Clementine Ford, Surya McEwen, Juliet Lamont, Zack Schofield and Jayden Kitchener-Waters, will join thousands of participants from 100 countries as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla will again attempt to break the illegal Israeli naval blockade of Gaza to deliver crucial aid and medicine to Palestinians.
In January, the Israeli government banned Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, Save the Children, and over 30 other aid organisations from operating within Gaza. Medical evacuations have ended. This attempt by the Global Sumud Flotilla to break the siege on Gaza is now more vital than ever. One of the Australian delegation's demands is the establishment of a Palestinian-led humanitarian corridor to deliver food and medicine, and to facilitate the entry of health, legal, engineering, logistics and construction workers to support the people of Gaza.
Spokesperson Juliet Lamont stated: "People around the world have had enough of watching the starvation of children and the bombing of Palestinian families in tents. Members of the Australian delegation are sailing to Gaza to sustain and support life. Meanwhile, the Australian Government hosts the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, a president who has been accused of incitement to genocide by the United Nations Human Rights Council."
Juliet Lamont, leader of the Australian delegation sailing to Gaza on the Global Sumud Flotilla, condemned the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia, calling it "a failure of democracy and a betrayal of human rights".
Zack Schofield of climate activist group Rising Tide stated, "Most Australians reject association with breaches of international law. Australians do not want to welcome or assist the architects of mass civilian starvation. We don't want to be tied to governments that openly flout the Geneva Convention and commit war crimes.” He confirmed a much larger delegation of Australians will be sailing this time in an attempt to break Israel’s illegal maritime blockade and deliver food and medical aid to Gaza.
As Israel continues to attack Gaza from the air, land and sea (despite the so-called ceasefire), the Global Sumud Flotilla is needed now more than ever to break the siege and to let aid flow to Gaza. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, since the 'ceasefire agreement' came into effect on October 10, 2025, Israeli forces killed more than 464 people, including at least 100 children. UNICEF reports that Israeli bombing injured 1,275 people during this period of time. According to the UN, more than three-quarters of the population of Gaza is facing acute hunger and malnutrition.
Zack Schofield explained “A country our politicians call a mate is actively starving and bombing civilians and instead of punishing that behaviour, we've just spent millions in taxpayer dollars to play host to a politician who has, according to the United Nations, incited genocidal violence."
"Ordinary Australians don't want us to extend friendship, free trade, and even weapons components to a country so proficient at killing unarmed civilians as people suffer through a cost-of-living crisis at home. It's time for us to get new mates, get aid to Gaza, and get Australia out of Israel."
He went on to say, "those of us joining the flotilla will be putting our lives on the line to protect what people we can against tanks made with Australian steel, and bombs dropped from F-35s with Australian engineering."
Jewish activist Anny Mokotow stated "I'm joining the Flotilla because I cannot stand by while Palestinian children die from starvation, homes and hospitals are bombed, and aid is blocked. As a child of Holocaust survivors, I believe “never again” means for everyone. When governments fail, ordinary citizens must act to bring food, medicine, and hope to the most vulnerable."
Sam Woripa Watson, Wangerriburrah and Birri Gubba community activist and film maker said "We see our collective liberation in Palestinian liberation, and theirs in ours. As First Nations people, we know what colonial violence looks like - land theft and erasure. Palestinians are facing that same violence now. Standing with Gaza is standing for justice everywhere. Let Palestinians live. Let aid flow. Cut ties with Israel.”
Author Clementine Ford stated on joining the Flotilla “I am no different to the mothers in Gaza, even if governments want me to believe I am while they send weapons that kill their children. I know what it is to love a child the same way Palestinian parents do. Let aid flow. Cut ties with Israel."
Jayden Kitchener-Waters a Gomeroi and Ngiyampaa singer and storyteller said “Our government is helping to do to Palestinians what they did to our people - colonisation, land theft, and starvation. We need to cut ties with Israel, instead of spending millions on bringing Herzog here."
Surya McEwen, taking part in his fourth flotilla stated "We all feel that the suffering on this mass scale is too much to bear, and something desperately has to be done. Taking these steps together is the most natural and reasonable response in the world. Let Palestinians live. Let aid flow. Cut ties with Israel.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla is calling on people around the world to get involved, sign up to join the flotilla or donate and follow online to keep participants safe. The Flotilla will be sailing from various ports around the Mediterranean from late March 2026 onwards.
Australian Delegation - launch video
Instagram launch reel
Instagram - @globalmovementtogaza.aunz
Background Briefing
Australian delegation members individual bios, pictures and statements
About the Global Sumud Flotilla
https://michaelwest.com.au/arrest-herzog-for-war-crimes-says-un-commissioner-sidoti/
Isaac Herzog is accused of inciting genocide in Gaza. He shouldn’t be welcomed to Australia
Gaza Now: Current facts and figures
Gaza famine pushed back, but millions still face hunger and malnutrition, UN says
Contact details:
(For interview requests with announced delegates)
Jane Salmon - +61 417919354
Sam Castro - +61 439569289
